College Football Betting: Crimson Tide Earn Their Shot at Revenge in BCS Championship

Written by Charlie Jimenez

Saturday, 10 December 2011 08:57

While the debate will undoubtedly rage on about the current bowl system in NCAA football, the fact of the matter is that the system got it right with the appointment of the two teams that will clash in this year’s Allstate BCS Championship game. An overtime field goal separated the No. 1 LSU Tigers from the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide in their SEC showdown earlier this season, a game in which the top-ranked program won 9-6 in the extra period. There is little doubt that the two best teams in the nation will fight for the right to call themselves the best, as the SEC continues its monopoly on the BCS.

The pay head bookies understand just how close these two teams are in terms of talent, as the Tigers opened as slight favorites at – 1.5. On top of the fact that there is a national title on the line, there will be a ton of NFL talent showcased in this matchup, and that should make it that much more intense.

College Football Betting Preview: Alabama

The Crimson Tide didn’t open their season with a win over the Oregon Ducks, and when they lost in overtime to the Tigers there was little doubt that they wouldn’t have a chance at climbing to No. 1. But the fact that Alabama was able to take down four of the five nationally ranked teams that they faced in what is undoubtedly the toughest conference in college football ensured their berth in the big game ahead of Oklahoma State, and there is little doubt that they will be fired up for their shot at revenge. Running back Trent Richardson is a Heisman trophy candidate with 1,583 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns, and he will once again be asked to handle the offensive burden while the Tide’s top-ranked defense goes back to work in this contest with close to even odds on betonline.

College Football Betting Preview: LSU

Enough cannot be said about what the Tigers were able to achieve this season, even if they fall short on the biggest stage. LSU handily defeated an Oregon Ducks’ team that had their way with the Stanford Cardinal at the open of their schedule, and stood tall against seven more nationally ranked teams the rest of the way including a 42-10 thrashing of the No. 14 Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game. The running back tandem of Michael Ford and Spencer Ware have averaged a combined 5.05 yards per carry with 15 scores, while the Tigers are two-deep at quarterback as well with Jarett Lee and Jordan Jefferson. The fact that they were able to survive the early turmoil that they faced only adds to their allure, as LSU undoubtedly is the nation’s top team.

College Football Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

Winning eight games against nationally ranked opponents in one season is a difficult enough task, but taking down the best of those teams in consecutive contests against them is a task that even LSU should struggle with. Head coach Nick Saban will open things up on offense even further to avoid another letdown, and the loss to the Tigers earlier in the season should serve as even more motivation for Alabama to take the championship game and earn some revenge.